For many people, the terms pertussis and whooping cough are interchangeable. However, in reality, these two conditions are very different from each other, and knowing the differences between them can help you understand the illness itself better and take measures to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones more effectively. Here’s what you need to know about pertussis compared to whooping cough, including their symptoms and how they affect people of all ages.
Introduction
Pertussis is an illness caused by bacteria that affect the respiratory tract. It can cause a mild cough or can be severe enough to require hospitalization. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough because of the whoop sound made when a person tries to catch their breath after coughing. A person with pertussis may have symptoms such as a low-grade fever, runny nose, mild cough, fatigue (tiredness), vomiting (throwing up), muscle aches and loss of appetite. The symptoms start out like those for any cold before progressing into more serious stages including convulsions (seizures) and pneumonia. One reason for this is that people with weaker immune systems are unable to fight off the disease in its early stages. In infants, young children and adults this can lead to apnea (cessation of breathing). When left untreated it will last about 6 weeks. There are different treatments which include antibiotics and anti-viral drugs.
What is Pertussis?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection caused by the gram negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease is spread through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Typically the symptoms of pertussis are mild but can be more serious in infants and adults. Early symptoms of pertussis include runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, sore throat and mild cough.
The Three Stages of Pertussis
Catarrhal Stage:
The first stage of pertussis is the catarrhal stage. The catarrhal stage typically lasts for two to four weeks and may include a cough, runny nose, low fever, hoarseness and mild chest pain. Catarrhal pertussis is the mildest form of the disease and often goes undetected because symptoms are often nonspecific or non-specific to pertussis.
Paroxysmal Stage:
The second stage of pertussis is known as the paroxysmal stage. The paroxysmal stage usually occurs one to six weeks after the catarrhal stage begins. Paroxysms consist of rapid breathing, vomiting and severe coughing spells that end in a whoop. During this stage patients may experience cyanosis (blue skin due to lack of oxygen) during a coughing spell which can lead to respiratory arrest if not treated promptly with emergency care.
Convalescent Stage:
The third stage of pertussis is known as the convalescent stage. The convalescent stage usually occurs between 6-12 weeks after the catarrhal stage begins. It is characterized by fatigue, diminished activity levels, loss of appetite and weight gain. Patients still have residual coughs but they tend to be less frequent than they were during the paroxysmal stage.
Symptoms of Pertussis
Signs of catarrhal stage include general weariness, a runny nose, sneezing, and tearful eyes. Some may also have an elevated body temperature (low grade fever). Toward the end of this phase, a persistent cough becomes more and more a part of life, especially at night.
Paroxysmal stage symptoms may include bulging eyes, prominent veins in the neck, protrusion of the tongue, and excessive salivation. It may also result in aspiration of mucous into the lungs which could result in bacterial pneumonia. Infections of the middle ear can occur during this stage of the disease.
Convalescent stage is the process of recovery from an illness.
Coughing episodes happen less frequently, and the episodes aren't as intense. Recovering begins during this phase of the disease. On occasion, there may be chronic coughing that persists for several months.
The Difference Between Pertussis and Whooping Cough
Whooping cough and pertussis are both respiratory diseases. The difference between the two is that whooping cough is a bacterial infection while pertussis is caused by a virus. Pertussis usually starts with a runny nose for one to two weeks followed by cough for about three weeks. It then progresses to violent coughing fits which can last anywhere from 10 seconds to over a minute. These fits often end in an inspiratory gasp, or the whoop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It can be serious or deadly to infants who are too young to be vaccinated. The stages and symptoms of pertussis include a runny nose, low fever or no fever at all, cough that can become severe enough to break ribs or cause pneumonia. The difference between pertussis and whooping cough is that whooping cough does not have the same stages as pertussis does.
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